Argentina

On Monday evening in Brasília, Lionel Messi became Argentina’s joint-most capped player by equaling Javier Mascherano’s total of 147. Messi’s journey with La Albiceleste began in 2005, when he was just 18 but already world-renowned as Barcelona’s youngest-ever scorer and Ronaldinho’s heir apparent.

But it was Messi’s fellow 33-year-old, Papu Gómez — receiving just his sixth cap and only third start — who proved the difference in Argentina’s 1-0 group stage victory over Paraguay at the Copa América.

Countless soccer fans across the U.S. are paying close attention to Euro 2020, taking place across Europe this month. But let this be a reminder: 2021 Copa América is also going on right now in Brazil, and it’s every bit as entertaining (if not more so) as the Euros. Don’t believe me? Check out the delicious Lionel Messi free kick vs Chile from Argentina’s thrilling 1-1 draw on Monday.

Argentina drew 2-2 with Colombia in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday night at El Metro in Barranquilla after Los Cafeteros were able to snatch an equalizer with the game’s final attack. 

The detective work done by all neutrals when watching this Albiceleste side is to determine how much progress has been made since the nervy, need-a-Messi-hat-trick-on-the-final-day 2018 qualifying cycle, but it remains difficult to say. 

The difference between the two cycles after six games is just one point (although it’s a positive point).